PHL archaeological vessel leaves Panatag Shoal

The Philippine archaeological vessel conducting research on Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal has already left the disputed area, a day after China called for its immediate pullout.   M/Y Saranggani, a Philippine-flag motor yacht sent by the Philippine National Museum to conduct marine archaeological research, left the shoal on Wednesday night, Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara confirmed Thursday.   “Tapos na siguro ‘yung research nila. Arkelado lang naman ‘yung ng mga taga-National Museum,” Alcantara told reporters.   The military official, however, would not say whether the archaeological vessel’s pullout has something to do with the Chinese government’s demand.   Last Tuesday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila demanded that the motor yacht immediately leave Panatag Shoal. Chinese diplomats accused the vessel of conducting “illegal salvage archaeology” on an ancient Chinese shipwreck on the shoal.   China claims Panatag Shoal (Chinese name: Huangyan Island) as part of its territory, saying the country first discovered the territory during the 13th century under the Yuan Dynasty.   The Philippines, however, rejected China’s historical claim on the shoal, which is part of the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).   Both China and the Philippines are signatories to the UNCLOS.   Last Monday, the Philippines filed a second diplomatic protest against China after a Chinese aircraft allegedly “harassed” the Philippine-registered archaeological vessel.   Standoff remains   Alcantara further said that two Chinese maritime vessels and a search-and-rescue vessel from the Philippine Coast Guard are still engaged in a standoff in the disputed area.   He added that three other fishing vessels earlier reported to have approached the shoal despite the standoff have also left the shoal.   The standoff between Philippine and Chinese vessels in Panatag Shoal started last April 10 when the Philippine Navy caught eight Chinese vessels allegedly poaching in the area.   The Philippine Navy, however, failed to arrest the fisherman after two Chinese maritime vessels blocked its path. Last Saturday, the Chinese fishing vessels left the area, taking their haul of endangered marine species with them.   The Philippine government has already signified its intent to bring the territorial dispute to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), but China has refused to seek international arbitration on the issue.   ITLOS is an independent judicial body established by the UNCLOS to adjudicate disputes arising from the interpretation and application of the agreement. — Andreo C. Calonzo/KBK, GMA News